Napalm

Discover the chilling history of Napalm by Robert M. Neer, published by Harvard University Press in 2015. This gripping account unfolds the story of how napalm was invented on Valentine’s Day 1942 at a secretive Harvard war research laboratory. Neer reveals the devastating impact of this incendiary weapon, which claimed over 87,500 lives in Tokyo alone—surpassing the casualties of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With an extensive exploration of its use, napalm incinerated 64 Japanese cities during World War II, highlighting its grim effectiveness even as the atomic bomb captured the headlines. Spanning 352 pages, Napalm offers readers an insightful and thought-provoking look at the military history of this infamous weapon. Ideal for history buffs and military enthusiasts alike, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the darker aspects of warfare.